Akbar and Birbal Stories – A Castle in the Air

Akbar is a very generous King. He used to dream a lot and try to implement it. Once, he said to his courtiers, “Most Kings establish magnificent structures so that the world remembers them after they are gone. I want to make a unique structure, like a castle in the air.”

“Sir, you are such a great King. You have many intelligent people like Birbal in your court. You can do anything you can think of,” said the courtiers flattering him, at the same time playing a trick on Birbal.

“What do you say, Birbal?” asked Akbar demanding a suitable reply.

“Your Majesty, building a castle in the air is slightly difficult but not an impossible task,” said Birbal.

“Can you do that?” asked Akbar in excitement.

“Of course, Your Majesty,” said Birbal, accepting the challenge. “But the arrangements should be from your side. Also I need a three months’ break to find the suitable architects.”

“I accept all your conditions,” said the king, “you just go ahead with the plan of the castle in the air.”

Birbal left for another country. There he acquainted himself with a bird-seller. The he ordered him to get around two hundred intelligent parrots. After a few days, the bird-seller procured two hundred parrots and sold them to Birbal.

Within three months, Birbal trained the parrots to shout, “Get me bricks, get the cement, come on, hurry up.”

After that Birbal went back to Akbar’s court, he said, “Your Majesty, the architects have been arranged. You simply make the preparation for the construction.” Saying this, he asked the king to come out of the palace to see the site. As soon as the king came outside, Birbal whispered something in the ears of a servant.

Hearing this, the servant opened the door of the cage from which the parrots fled and sat on the branches of the nearby trees.

Then, they started shouting, “Get the bricks, get the cement, come on, and hurry up.”

Birbal said, “Did you hear that, Majesty. The architects are demanding material. Ask your servants to give them the required things.”

The parrots continued to shout.

Akbar laughed and said, “Birbal, I accept my defeat. Ask your architects to go. How can I give them material in the air?”

Birbal said, “Don’t worry Majesty. After shouting for a few more moments, they will fly away.”

Everything happened the way Birbal has predicted. The parrots flew after sometime. From that day onwards, Akbar forgot to have such silly aspirations.